The 16th edition of the EU Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty will be on in-work poverty. We will tackle the fact that more and more jobs in Europe don’t pay for a living anymore. Over a hundred people experiencing poverty – both working and out of work – will be in Brussels from 9 till 10 November to exchange ideas together and with EU politicians and policy makers. Check out the this year’s meeting page on our blog to read more about the programme, preparation, speakers…!

EAPN Italy held their national meeting of people experiencing poverty this year, and addressed the issue of “illegal hiring” and undeclared work. From the various collected materials, the short film Tarek che guardava nel sole, was chosen to show at the European Meeting on 15 November 2016.

On the 16th of November, hundreds of helicopters circled above the European Commission, launched by people with direct experience of poverty, who participated in the 15th European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty. The (paper) helicopters had messages written on them. The messages (helicopters) were handed over to Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility. A large choir sang the song Blowin’ in the Wind as the delegations delivered their messages.

This collective action closed the European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty, organised by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) with support from the European Commission, the Slovakian Presidencyof theEuropean Council and the EAPN Fund. A unique opportunity for people with direct experience of poverty from 29 different national delegations to address and exchange with EU decision-makers.

The Estonian section of the EAPN has organized a wonderful Easter party on Sunday March 27 for about 700 families living in poverty in the country. The event was hosted in the Estonian Concert Hall and included a concert by the Tallinn University Symphony Orchestra, a free meal and a series of games and activities during which children were awarded chocolate eggs and other prizes.